JOHN TERRY has told Roberto Di Matteo that he is fit and expects to play at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow, as he is determined not to be seen to be shirking any confrontation with Anton Ferdinand.

The Chelsea captain injured his ankle last Friday while playing in England’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win away to Moldova, missed his country’s 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Tuesday as he underwent treatment and returned to light training on Wednesday. But Terry trained fully yesterday and is adamant he is ready to start in what could be a highly-charged west London derby.

Ferdinand is also fit, despite having a scan on a shoulder problem on Monday, meaning the pair stand to meet each other for the first time since Terry was acquitted of making a racial slur against the QPR defender in this fixture last season. Terry remains the subject of a FA investigation

Ashley Cole, who gave evidence on Terry’s behalf at Westminster magistrates court in July, returned to training yesterday after the ankle problem the Chelsea defender suffered in the European Super Cup final defeat by Atletico Madrid last month.

His presence would further spice the occasion; Ferdinand was disgusted that Cole took Terry’s side.

At present the Premier League expects the traditional pre-match handshakes to take place.

It is understood the Hoops are liaising with Chelsea on how to approach tomorrow’s fixture and plan to make an announcement on the matter before Mark Hughes’ pre-match press conference this afternoon.

Regardless of the tension, the Premier League has no plans to cancel the pre-match handshakes, with a spokesperson saying, “We are expecting the handshakes to go forward.”

It is understood that the body has not been involved in the ongoing talks between the clubs and does not expect to be approached about cancelling the handshake as there is no active legal case.